Rebuilding after Katrina
An
email came from Gary and Rosey Asher in the midst of
the 2007 Lenten Faith Alive pilot program. It
shared inspiring news about their Faith Alive group
from St. Henry’s Parish in Eau Galle and St.
Joseph’s in Arkansaw. Here is an excerpt:
“Participation was good and we had some real great
personal insight and sharing. Everyone was so happy
they were a part of this experience and want more.
Our service projects consisted of visiting the
nursing home and writing letters. Also several of
us, along with some other parish members, got
together and made greeting cards. These cards will
be going with my wife and me to Waveland,
Mississippi, to be given to persons in need. We're
leaving for a week to rebuild houses damaged by
Katrina. Each card will contain a $10 Wal-Mart gift
card. Our parish got the fund drive going and we’re
up to almost $800 so far. Our project pretty much
got beyond our little group of 6 people. Pretty
awesome.”
Gary sent another email in the winter of 2008, in
the midst of the second round of Faith Alive. He
had an update on the Waveland, Mississippi
situation, since they had made a second trip to help
with the rebuilding. Here is an excerpt, with
photos below:
“Rosey and I, along with seven others from our two
parishes just got back from another Katrina Mission
Trip to Waveland, Mississippi. Again it was a
blessed and rewarding
experience. We
are planning to go again. Here are a few pictures
that we took while we were there. They are of some
of us having a lunch break; one of the houses we
worked on; a house next door to the one we worked
on—still waiting for help; and a look at the
condition of the roads. There is still so much left
to do.
“I'm
excited to be a part of Faith Alive; to be able to
get people together and share God's word in such a
practical format. We always look forward to the next
session. It is so inspiring!!”
Most of the service we give through our Faith Alive
experience is simple and humble, but sometimes it
goes way beyond that, as in this case. But whatever
it is, let’s do it in and through the love of
Christ. -- Chris Ruff
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